Latest news with #GeorgeWallis
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's 'most scenic dog walks' crowned ahead of summer 2025
The best hiking trails for four-legged friends have been named. The "most scenic dog walks" in Scotland have been named. Three locations across the country were crowned as the best for pet pooches based on a poll of 2,000 UK dog owners. With summer about to kick off, Scots will be looking to get out and make the most of the good weather. For those with a four-legged friend, there is even more reason to explore the beautiful Scottish countryside. On Wednesday, May 28, experts at Isuzu shared a list of the most picturesque dog walks across Britain, according to feedback from pet owners. Out of the three Scottish destinations included, Glencoe in the Highlands placed the highest. Coming in at number 11 on the overall list, Glencoe was voted as the top dog walk in Britain by 10 per cent of dog owners. Glencoe is known for its various beautiful trails—some of which pass by spectacular waterfalls. Some of the top walks in the area include the Glencoe Lochan Trail and Bishops Bay. The former is an idyllic trail around the tranquil Glencoe Lochan and woodlands, while Bishops Bay is a secluded corner of Loch Leven. The second most scenic dog walk in Scotland according to Isuzu is Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The national park ranked at number 16 for the whole of the UK. The iconic greenland region is home to popular dog walking destinations such as the West Highland Way, Balloch Castle Country Park, and Argyll Forest Park. Other options include the Loch Katrine and Primrose Hill Circular and the Ben Ledi Foothills and Loch Lubnaig Circular. Elsewhere, the third and final Scottish dog walk named as being among the "most scenic" in the UK is Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. The beauty spot in the Scottish capital placed at number 23 for the whole of the UK. Dogs are permitted on Arthur's Seat, as well as throughout the surrounding Holyrood Park. However, they should be kept under control and owners should be wary of local wildlife. Meanwhile, the number one "most scenic" dog walk in Britain according to Isuzu is Ambleside in the Lake District National Park. The English beauty spot was singled out for its picturesque lakes and mountains. Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK George Wallis commented: "It's no surprise to us that nearly a third of Brits are willing to drive almost 70 miles just to give their dogs the best walkies imaginable—we know our customers go the extra mile for their four-legged friends. "Whether it's chasing views in Ambleside, getting lost in Snowdonia, or lapping up the trails in Glencoe, the Isuzu D-Max is built for the kind of adventures dog owners dream of." See below for the full list of the "most scenic dog walks" in Britain. More information can be found on Isuzu. Britain's most scenic dog walks Ambleside, Lake District National Park, Cumbria Snowdonia National Park, Wales New Forest, Hampshire Richmond Park, London Hampstead Heath, London Ely, Peak District, Derbyshire Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales Sherwood Forest, Nottingham Studland Bay, Dorset Hadrian's Wall path, Northumberland Glencoe, Scottish Highlands Delamere Forest, Cheshire Cannock Chase, Staffordshire Seven Sisters Cliff, East Sussex Windsor Great Park, Berkshire Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scotland Malvern Hills, Worcestershire South Downs Way, Sussex Hardcastle Drags, West Yorkshire Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, Dorset Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland Cheddar Gorge, Somerset Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh Box Hill, Surrey The Fens, Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Artists decry ‘irresponsible' plans to demolish brutalist Midlands tower
Artists and conservation groups have decried the 'irresponsible' plan to tear down a brutalist arts tower at a Midlands university, saying the proposed redevelopment is overlooking the 'massive historical significance' of the structure. The University of Wolverhampton has earmarked the nine-storey School of Art, which is also known as the George Wallis building, for demolition as part of a 'radical' expansion proposal. But it has faced opposition from the Twentieth Century Society, which has submitted a listing application to Historic England that could prevent its destruction. Built between 1966 and 1970 and designed by Diamond, Redfern & Partners, the building sits beside Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux Stadium and is one of a small number of brutalist buildings of its type that remain in good condition. 'This is an excellent surviving example of a postwar art school that has remained in its original use and survives in very good condition, and is loved by both staff and students,' a Twentieth Century Society spokesperson said. 'It clearly has abundant potential to be sympathetically upgraded or reconfigured to suit whatever plans the university may develop in the years to come. On the other hand, demolition would simply be wasteful, irresponsible and anti-growth.' Historic England is assessing the School of Art and will submit its advice to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which will make the ultimate decision. A listing would mean the arts tower was of 'special architectural or historic interest' and would have legal protection from demolition. Gavin Rogers, a senior lecturer in fine art and photography at the university, said many students were 'angry, confused and disappointed' by the demolition plan. 'Yes, it can get a bit cold in the winter and some double glazing would be nice, but any replacement would never match the spirit that this building offers,' he said. The building was the site of the First National Black Art Convention in October 1982, where many of the most celebrated British artists of the last four decades congregated to discuss what black art was for in the early part of the Thatcher era. Sonia Boyce, who won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2022 for her work Feeling Her Way, was in attendance, as was the Black Audio Film Collective, including John Akomfrah, who represented the UK at the Venice Biennale last year. The Turner prize winner Lubaina Himid was present that day, as were other Turner nominees Ingrid Pollard (who also won the Hasselblad award in 2024) and Claudette Johnson, who had a studio in the building and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university in 2022 for 'her contribution to the arts and creative industries sector'. Other alumni include Cornelia Parker and the founder of the design website Dezeen, Marcus Fairs. Johnson was part of the Blk Art Group, which formed in Wolverhampton and included Janet Vernon, Dominic Dawes, Wenda Leslie, Ian Palmer, Marlene Smith, Eddie Chambers and Donald Rodney, who is the subject of a major retrospective that comes to the Whitechapel Gallery this week. Another member of the group, Keith Piper, who recently responded to the Rex Whistler mural at Tate Britain, said the building was a site of 'massive historical significance'. He said: 'As the site of the First National Black Art Convention in October 1982, it will for ever be the location where artists who would become central to the development of British art of the following decades met for the first time and went on to form some of the most important collaborations of the decade and beyond.' The event was commemorated at an anniversary conference in 2012 and a symposium in 2023, while a research project was set up by Piper and the rest of the Blk Art Group that includes audio recordings from the event in which Boyce, Johnson and Himid can be clearly heard. A university spokesperson said that under the current redevelopment plan the School of Art and Creative Industries would be relocated to a different building 'where we will develop new, modern, inspiring teaching and learning spaces that help to foster creativity, collaboration, innovation and an enriched student experience.'This is a very exciting time for the University of Wolverhampton and we look forward to working with our staff, students and partners to deliver this ambitious and transformative programme.'
The Guardian
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Artists decry ‘irresponsible' plans to demolish brutalist Midlands tower
Artists and conservation groups have decried the 'irresponsible' plan to tear down a brutalist arts tower at a Midlands university, saying the proposed redevelopment is overlooking the 'massive historical significance' of the structure. The University of Wolverhampton has earmarked the nine-storey School of Art, which is also known as the George Wallis building, for demolition as part of a 'radical' expansion proposal. But it has faced opposition from the Twentieth Century Society, which has submitted a listing application to Historic England that could prevent its destruction. Built between 1966 and 1970 and designed by Diamond, Redfern & Partners, the building sits beside Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux Stadium and is one of a small number of brutalist buildings of its type that remain in good condition. 'This is an excellent surviving example of a postwar art school that has remained in its original use and survives in very good condition, and is loved by both staff and students,' a Twentieth Century Society spokesperson said. 'It clearly has abundant potential to be sympathetically upgraded or reconfigured to suit whatever plans the university may develop in the years to come. On the other hand, demolition would simply be wasteful, irresponsible and anti-growth.' Historic England is assessing the School of Art and will submit its advice to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which will make the ultimate decision. A listing would mean the arts tower was of 'special architectural or historic interest' and would have legal protection from demolition. Gavin Rogers, a senior lecturer in fine art and photography at the university, said many students were 'angry, confused and disappointed' by the demolition plan. 'Yes, it can get a bit cold in the winter and some double glazing would be nice, but any replacement would never match the spirit that this building offers,' he said. The building was the site of the First National Black Art Convention in October 1982, where many of the most celebrated British artists of the last four decades congregated to discuss what black art was for in the early part of the Thatcher era. Sonia Boyce, who won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2022 for her work Feeling Her Way, was in attendance, as was the Black Audio Film Collective, including John Akomfrah, who represented the UK at the Venice Biennale last year. The Turner prize winner Lubaina Himid was present that day, as were other Turner nominees Ingrid Pollard (who also won the Hasselblad award in 2024) and Claudette Johnson, who had a studio in the building and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the university in 2022 for 'her contribution to the arts and creative industries sector'. Other alumni include Cornelia Parker and the founder of the design website Dezeen, Marcus Fairs. Johnson was part of the Blk Art Group, which formed in Wolverhampton and included Janet Vernon, Dominic Dawes, Wenda Leslie, Ian Palmer, Marlene Smith, Eddie Chambers and Donald Rodney, who is the subject of a major retrospective that comes to the Whitechapel Gallery this week. Another member of the group, Keith Piper, who recently responded to the Rex Whistler mural at Tate Britain, said the building was a site of 'massive historical significance'. He said: 'As the site of the First National Black Art Convention in October 1982, it will for ever be the location where artists who would become central to the development of British art of the following decades met for the first time and went on to form some of the most important collaborations of the decade and beyond.' The event was commemorated at an anniversary conference in 2012 and a symposium in 2023, while a research project was set up by Piper and the rest of the Blk Art Group that includes audio recordings from the event in which Boyce, Johnson and Himid can be clearly heard. A university spokesperson said that under the current redevelopment plan the School of Art and Creative Industries would be relocated to a different building 'where we will develop new, modern, inspiring teaching and learning spaces that help to foster creativity, collaboration, innovation and an enriched student experience.'This is a very exciting time for the University of Wolverhampton and we look forward to working with our staff, students and partners to deliver this ambitious and transformative programme.'
